Electroplating apparatus.



BLEGTROPLATING APPARATUS. AIPLmATIoN FILED JUNE 7,1907.

Patented 0ct.20,1908.

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.H'brl'hun 'LT n'l'bn Y APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7 1907 A. VAN WINKLE L J. T. DANIELS.

WITNESSES:

A. .VAN WINKLE E J. T. DNIELS.

ELEUTROPLATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNI: 7, 1907.

901,399. K v Patented 0t.20,1908.'

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A. VAN WINKLE & J. T. DANIELS.

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A. VAN WINKLB & J. T. DANIELS.

`ELEGTROPLATING APPARATUS.

Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

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A. VAN WINKLE & J. T. DANIELS. ELBGTROPLATING APPARATUS APPLIGATION FILED J Patented Oct. 20, 1908. SHE

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ABRAHAM VAN W'KLE AND THE HANBON 8c VAN WINKLE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ELEc'rnoPLA'rI'NG APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

Application filed. Juno 7, 1907. Serial No. 377,690.l

To all whom 'it my concern:

Be it known that we, ABRAHAM VAN WIN- xLE and JOHN T. DANmLs, citizens of the United States, residin at Newark, in the county ofEssex and tate of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Im provenients in Electroplating- A paratus; and wcdo hereby declare the-toll) be n full, clear,

in the art to which it apoertains to make and use the same, reference ing had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of reference marked thereon, which form a'part of this specification. I

This invention has reference, generally, to im rovements Vin electroplating apparatus; an the present invention has reference, more particularly, to a novel apparatus for and a novel method of the electro-deposition of a metal upon wire in the coil, or upon chains, hoo s,'or similar articles which can be arrange upon a revolving support or supports arranged in an electric circuit, and about which the `coil of wire, chain, hoop; or the like, is placed so as to receive a rotary motion, about the said revolving support or supports and into' and through the electrolyte contained in the vat, tank, or .other container forming a art of the apparatus.

The invention as for its principal objects to provide an electro-plating apparatus for the electro-deposition of metals upon wire in the coil or u on chains, hoops, or similar articles, all witli a view of simplifying the method of the electro lating of such articles of manufacture; at tie same time cheapening the cost of the produclion'of the electrodeposition, and resulting in a saving of s ace, and the reduction to a minimum of Lge devicesand parts of the apparatus, over the apparatus alid methods at this time ein! ployed in electroplatiug long and flexible strands ofl wire, chains and the like.

A further object oi this invention ,is to provide anovel method of the electro-deposition of wire in the coil, or of chai-ns, or hoops, substantially as will hereinaftermore fully appear.

A further object of this invention is to provide an a paratus of the general charucter hereina er more fully set forth, comprising one or more revolving drums or sup- I .owingfto and Aexact description o thel invention, such as will enable others skilled electric conductors,

which drums or supports can. be quickly raised or lowered, for sli ping the coil of wire, chain or4 hoop ,whic isto be'pllated upon the said su port, or for the removal of the work from .t e support, the part-s being arranged so that, such raising operations will-not interfere with the arts of the driving mechanism, and in ad ition saves time,

in manipulation.

A further object of this invention is to provide in an electro-plating apparatus in which the coil of wire, chain, hoop, or the like, which is to be electroplated, asses into and out of the electrolyte, as it rol s over thesupport, a means for producing a'shaking or v1 ratory action of the moving wire-coil, chain, hoo or the like.

Other o jects of this invention not at this time more particularly mentioncdwill be clearly .understood from the following detailed 'description of the invention.

The invention consists, primarily, in the novel 'method of electrodeposition, as well as in the novel apparatus hereinafter more particularly'set forth; and, furthermore, Ithis invention consists in the various arrangements and combinations of devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same', all of which will be Y more fully described in the following specification and thenI finallyembodied in the clauses of the claims -which are appended to and which form an essential part of this specification. A

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 isa top or 'plan View of fthe a paratus embodying the principles .of tie present invention; and Figs. 2 and 3 are the two side elevations of the same. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of the a paratus, showing the .ap aratus in use or the purposes of electroepositing metals' upon chains.- Figf is a transverse section of the apparatus, said section bein taken on line 5 5 in said Fig. 1, looking 1n the direction of the arrow m. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectionV of one of the supporting drums or rolls, said section being made on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 7 is an elevation of the one end-portionof said drum or roll. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional representntion of a portion of the tank or vat of the apparatus and one of the ing rolls or 'lOU ' each p 'semi-circular bearings 17 wh ported thereon, said View illustrating also one arrangement of the ii'ietal-aiiodes employed; and Fig. 9 is same, said section being taken on line 9-,-9

in said Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrow y. Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13 are crosssections of variously formed work-support drums which may be employed with the ap aracters' ofreference are emof the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

,Referrin now to the several figures of the drawings, t e reference-character 1 indicates a suitably constructed tank or vat, the same comprisin a base 2,.the sides-.3, and the ends 4, al y and may be tied with tie-bolts tially in the manner shown;

Extending across the upper open portion of the tank or vat is an arrangement of one or more rods or bars 6, which may beheld in place by means of suitable fastening devices, as 7.

The reference-character 8 is employed to indicate an electric conductor, such as a rod or wire, which is suitably connected with each rod or bar 6 by means of contact-producing sleeves 8, or other similar fastening means. pon one of the said rods or bars 6 is another contact-sleeve 9, or similar fastening device, with which electric conductor, which leads from tricity. Suspended by means of hooks 1,1, or in any able manner, are any nietal anodes,

such as a wire other suitsultable number of contained in the said vat or tank'.

Arranged in the space between each paiil of anode-sus ending rods or bars 6 is a revolving wom-supporting roll or drum 13. Each roll or drum is usually made of wood, the ends of which have suitably secured thereon suitable plates or caps t4 of metal, ate being formed with an. annular fiange 15 arranged about the marginal edgeportioii of. the roll or drum, and each plate or cap 14 being also provided with au end journal 16 extending therefrom. -VllBy means of these journals rotatively, but at the same time niovably arranged is also rein an arrangeniei'it of ich may be secured in place upon the. upper edge-piiirtions of the sides B, by means of the boltsV or bearings 17 upon the one Vside of the tank or vat have extending theref l each bearingby nieans of a setsizrew 2o, or said .wi res' or rods other fastening mea ns, the 19 being connected b v means of suitably constructed contactproducing members or elea cross-section of thev is suitably connected aneach roll or drinn may bevided with cut-away portions 35, so

Fig. i'. for tl ments 21 with a connecting wire or rod 22, this wire or rod in turn being also connected, by mea us of another contact-producing member or -element 23 with which is connected the other main circuit wire or rod 24, with the main source of electricity. Upon the op'- journal of each work-supdrum is provided with a or worm-wheel 25, each wheel 25 be- 26 upon a driving 28, substantially asl illustrated in Fig. 2 of t e rawings. This shaft 27 is driven from a sprocket-wheel 29, over which may be arranged a link driving chain; or, the said shaft 27 may be operated in any other suita e manner, as will be clearly understood. at the said Worksup orting roll or rolls may serve as good conciiictors for carrying the electric current into and through the work which is. to be elect-roplated, metal strips, bands or plates 30 are suitabl secured upon the cylindrical surface og the roll, said metal strips, bands or plates extending in longitudinal directions and liavd-portions suitably connected with the fianges'l, or other suitable portions of the metal plate or cap at -each end of the roll `or'drum, as will be clearly understood from an inspection of the several lig'- ures ofv the drawings. Separating disks, plates, or partitions 3l may also be suitably arranged and secured drum, so asv to form a spaces in which the chains. or the coils of wire, hoo s, or the like are arranged and move by rictional contact with the contactmaking strips, bands, or plates 30, so iis to complete the electrical circuit through said inovably arranged work with the electrolyte or electroplating solution contained in the vat or tank.

ln Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings is shown on an enlarged scale the arraugenient of .ontaet-n'u|king strips or bands, the same consisting, essentially, of a .series of strips or bars f'll'). and the salinibeiiig secured to the roll or d ruin by inea-ns of screws or nailsI 2H. 'l'lie rnd-portions 33 of the bars are :irrai'iged iii eut-away or slotted parts 252 of the flanges 15 and are suitably connectrd with said of the eii(l-co\'ii'.-, or plates 14, as will be clearly evident. In this construction, tlie separting disks. plates or partitions are proas to be titled over the .said ii| ^tiil'o\ei'ed sli-ips' or bars 32. as clearly illustrated iii said Fig. '6 of thedrauiil pistes or i-i1., ill. .las :a pla fe. fwrforated ears oriugs -it my be provided, as indicated in w reception of screws IE7 which airsi'rewed into the wooden roll or cylinder. Having thus described the goiwral consaid strips or- Ifo secure the said ills-isisi flanges l5 or other parts drawings, whereupon the journal of the roll is replaced in its bearing. Proper electrical connection having been made in the manner hereinabove described, the electric current is turned on, the shaft which is provided with the worms being also set in operation by means of' any suitable prime mover. The

'-rolls, drums or cylinders thus being'set in motion, the work Will also move intov and from the'electrolyte or electrolyt-ic solution, whereuponfthe process of the electro-deposition from the-metal anode or anodes to and upon the surfaces of the work immediately takes place, as will be clearly evident. The work being continuously rolled or moved. and the chains, 'hoops or strands of wire moving side by side, a sufficient frictional contact is produced, so that a bright or burnished electro-deposited'surface will be the result. f

When it is desired to electroplate wire in the coil, the coil or coils of wire may be slightly separated, therespective Aends of the coils heilig suitabl connected, as at 38 in Fig. 9 of the drawings, and an arrangement of .metal anodes 39 and 40 may be employed, substantially in the manner illustrated in Figs. S and 9 of the drawings. In this construction, anode-supporting rods or bars+11 and 4Q extend across the apparatus upon op,- posite sides o1" each roll, drum or cylinder, from which a rc suspended by nieans of hooks 4.3, and 4.4-, or other means, suitably formed horse shoe or U-shaped anodes 39. The other anode-bars 40 are formed at 'their ends with su )porting elements 45 and are suspended horizontally within the coils of Wire,

said supporting elements .45 resting upon4 contact.-n1aking supports or brackets 46 suitably secured upon the inner faces of the sides of the tank or vat, and one' of said supports or brackets 46 being electrically connected by means of a 'wirev or rod 47, and a contactmaking fixture or element 48 with -one` of said anode-supporting mds or bars, as 41, substantially in the manner clearly illustrated. Thus it will be evident, that the metal from (11e anodes 39 and 40 flows in opposite directions, so as to be ,deposited from opposite sldes upon the moving strands of the coils of wire, or upon the chains or hoops, er other' ring-shaped' articles' which may the placed over the` supporting roll, drum, orasyiihder Instead of lmaking the supporting-,m11 or drum of a cylindrical cross-section, an oval cross-section, as shown in Fig. 10; or a, triangular cross-section, as shown in Fig. 11; or a square cross-section, as shown in Fig. 12; or a hexagonal cross-section, as shown in Fig. 13; or, in fact any other. polygonal cross-section, may be employed, the purpose being to produce an irregular rotary motion of the work, when the niccl'ianism has been 'set in operation, so that a jerky motion of the work may result, whereby any beads of hydrogenthat may adhere to the Work, on those parts which are moving out of the solution, Will be shaken off, so as not. to interfer with the proper electrodeposition of the metal upon the Work. i

`From theforegoing description of the present invention, it will clearly be seen, that We have devised a simple method and effectively operating mechanism for plating such arti* cles of manufacture, as wire 1n the coil, chains, hoops, and similar articles, which can be arranged upon a supportand brought in rolling relation=therewith, so that all portions of the work will be continuously moved or rolled through the electroplating solution.

The invention is of especial advantage and.

benefit for the purposes of electroplating coils of long strands of Wire, the wire being readily plated by simply opening out the coil, so as to slightly separate the strands, and then moving or rolling the coil by means of the contact-producing and work-supporting roll ordrum into and through the electro lating solution.

e are fully aware that changes may be made in the arrangement and combinations of the variousdevices and parts, as Well as in the details of the construction of vthe same, Without departing from the scope of this inventi0n,as defined in the appended claims. Hence we do not limit our invention to the exact arrangement and combinations of the devices and pa'rts described in the foregoing specification, nor do we con-- fine ourselves to the exact details of the construction' of the various parts as illustrated in the'accompanying drawings.

i We claim r- -1. An lectroblating apparatus comprisving a vat or tank adapted to contain an electroplating solution, and 'a revoluble support from which the Work which is to, be plated is suspended and is in rolling engagement with said support, said support being constructed to provlde a vibratory action of the Work while rolling.V c AQ. An electroplating apparatus comprismg electroplating solution, and a revoluble su port from which the work which is to Ee fplated is suspended and is in rolling'engagermentrfgvith saidwsupport, said upport belng constructed to =prov1de a vibratory action of a vat or tank adapted to contain an other support from which metal anodes are an end-portion ot the supp0rt,co1nbined the work while rolling, combined with an adapted to be suspeudtal, and` electric circuits with which said supports are connected, substa nti-ally as and for the purposes set forth.,

Il. An electroplating apparatus comprising a vat or tank adapted to contain an electroplating solution, bearings connected with said vat, said bearings being open upon their upper surfaces, and a revoluble su port mounted in .-:aid bearings from which) the work which is to be plated is suspended and is in rolling engagement, and said support, said support being constructed to provide a vibratory action of the work while rolling heilig adapted to be raised from either bearing for the arrangement of the work over an end-portimi ot' the support, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

J.. An electrol'ilating apparatus comprising a vat or tank adapted to contain an electroplating solution, bearings connected with said vat., said bearings being open upon their upper surfaces, and a revoluble support mounted in said hearings from which the work which is to-be plated is suspended and is in rolling,r engagement, and said support, said support being constructed t0 provide a vibratory action of the work While rolling being adapted to be raised from either bearings for the arranfrement of the work over with another support from which metal anodes are adapted to be suspended, and electric circuits with which said supports are connected, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

An electroplating' apparatus comprising a vat or tank adapted to contai'n an electroplating solution, aud a revoluble support from which the work which is to be plated is suspended and is in rolling en agement with said support, said support icing ot" such a cross-section that an irregular or 'vibratory roltiiigg moti-ou of the 'work will lay prtaluced.

ti. .\.n elm'troplatiug apparatus comprisin;r a tat or tank adapted to contain an electroplatin;` solution, aud a rc\'oluble support from which the work which is to be plated is suspended and 'is iu rolling engagement with said support. said .support being of such a cross-section that an irregular or vi,- bratory rolling' motion ol' the work will be produced. combined with another support lrom which metal auodes are adapted. to be suspended. and electric circuits with which Isaid supports are connected, substantially as and t'or the purposes set' t'orth.Y

7. An electroplating apparatus comprising a vat or tank adapted to contain an elet.

troplating solution, and a revoluble supportv from which the work which is to be plated is suspended. and is in rollingv engagement with said support, the bod! of said support being a Anon-conductor o electriclty, and metal eontaetstrips upon said support through which the electric circuit with the troplatil'ig solutitm, and a rei'oluble support i from which the work wh ich. is to be plated is suspended', and in rolling en agement with said support, the body of sai support being a noii-com-.ltictor' ot' electricity, and metal contact -strips upon said su port through which the electric circuit .'witli the rolling work -is completed, combined with another support from which metal anodos are adapted to hesuspended, andeleetric circuits vwith which said supports are connected, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. An electroplating apparatus comprising a Vat or tank adapted to contain an electroplating solution, and a revoluble support from whlch the work which is to be plated is suspended and is in rollin en agement with said support, the body o sai support being a non-conductor of electricity, a metal end-plate upon each end of said support, a journal extendingr from each end-plate, and metal contact-strips upon said support and connected at their ends with said end-plates,`

all arranged that the strips will complete the electric circuit through the rollingl work, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. An electroplating,r apparatus comprisingr a vat or tank adapted to contain an 4electroplating solution, and revoluble. support fromwhich the Work which is to be plated is suspended and. is in rolling` engagement with said support, the body of saidA supportbeing a non-conductor ot` electricity, ametal end-plate upon each end ot' said support, a journal extending from each end-plate, and metal contact-strips upon said support and connected at their ends with said end-plates, all arranged that the strips will complete the electric circuit through the rolling,r work, combined with :mother support troin which metal anodes are adapted to be suspended, and electric circuits with which said supports are connected, suliistantially as and for the purposes set forth.

' 1l.. Au eleetroplatiupf apparatus comprising a vat ortank adapted to contain au electroplating solution, and a revoluble support from which the work which vis to be plated is suspended and is in rolling engragcnient with said support, said support being of such a cross-section that an irregular or \'il)ratory rolling motion of the work willl be produced, thebody of said support being a non-conductor of electricity', and metal 'is suspended yand is in rolling en agement With said support, said support eing of such a cross-section that Aan irregular or vibrator'y rolling motion` of the yvork will be produced, the body of said support being a non-conductor of electricity, and vmetal contact-strips upon said support through which the electric current With-` the rolling `Work is completed combined -vvit-h another support from which metal anodes are adapt- Ied to be suspended, and electric circuits with Which-said su ports areconnected, substan- ...ztially as and or the purposes set forth. 13. An electroplating apparatus comprismig a vat or tank adapted to contain, an electroplatin solution, and a revolublel supportv from which the work which is to be plated is suspended and is in rolling engagement electric circuit throng with said support, said support being of Such a cross-section that an irregular or vibratory rolling, motion of the Work will be produced, the body of said support being a non-conductor of electricity, a metal endplate u on each end of said support, ajournal extending from 4each end-plate, and imetal c0ntact-strips.upon said support and connected at their ends'with said end-plates., all arranged that the strips will complete the electrlccircuit through the rolling work, substantially as vand for the purposes set forth.

14. An electroplating apparatus comprising avat or tank adapted to contain an elecltroplating solution, and arevoluble support from which the work which is to be plated is suspended f'and is in rolling en gement with said support, said support eing of such a cross-section'tliat an irre ular or vibratory rolling motion of the wor will be produced, the bod of said support being aY non-conductor o electricity, a metal endplate upon each'end of said support, a journal extending from each end-plate, and metal contact-strips upon said support and connectedat their ends with said end-plates, all arranged that the stri s will complete the the rolling vwork, combined with another support from which metal anodes are adapted to be suspended, and electric circuits withwhich said supports are connected, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

15. An electroplating apparatus comprising a vat or tank adapted to contain an elec-l troplatin solution, and a revoluble su port from which the Work which is to be p ated is suspended, arid in rolling'fengagement `With vsaid support, the body of 'said support being a non-conductor 'of electricity, and metal contact-strips upon said support through which *thenelcctric circuit with 'the rolling work completed, and separating disk or plates upon said support, substantially as Aand for -the purposes set forth.

16. An electroplating apparatus comprisinga vat or tank adapted to contain an elecv troplating solution, and revoluble support from Which the .Work Which is to be plated is suspended and is in rolling engagementwith said support,v the bodyof said support bein a non-conductor of electricity, a metal en -plate upon each end of said support, a journal extending from each en plate, and metal contact-strips upon said support and connected at their ends with sai end-plates, all arranged that the strips will complete the electric circuit through the rolling work, and separatin disk or plates upon said support, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

17. An electroplating apparatus comprising a vat or tank, adapted to contain an elecolu le supports from each of which the Work Which is to be plated is suspended and is in rolling enga ement with the support, bearings connecte with said va't, said bearings being open upon their upper surfaces, the bo'dy of each support being a non-condoctor of electricity, a metal end-plate upon each support, a journal extending from each plate and mounted in vsaid bearings, metal contact-strips upon c'ach support and connected at their ends with said end-plates so that the strips Will complete electric circuits. through the rolling Work, a driving shaft,

Worms upon said shaft, and a'worm-gear troplatingsolutiom a multiplicity of rev upon one o f the journals of each support in' the"v body of each support being a non-conductor'of electricity, a metal end-plate upon eacli support, ajournal extending from each plate and mounted in said bearings, metal contact-strips upon each support and connected at their ends with said end-plates so that the strips will complete electric circuits through Ithe rolling Work, a driving shaft,

-Worms upon said shaft, and a worm-gear upon one of the journals of each support in mesli with a Worm, all being arranged for mesh with aV Worm, all being arranged for A simultaneously revolving all supports, sub- 'stantially as and for the purposes set forth.

simultaneously revolving all ports, com-'{ set forth above we have hereunto set cur bined with other lintermediate y disposed hands this 6th day of June, 1907.

supports from which metal anodes are T r 1 adapted to be suspended, and electric circuits v Ik Kuh' 5 with which the work-suspending and anodesusnding su ports are connected, substan- Witnesses 4z tia y as and or thepurposes set forth. F. H. W.. FRAENTZEL,

In testimony, that we claim the invention W. R. ANTHONY. 

